Monday, July 22

Daily WHUFC News - 22nd July 2013

'We'll get stronger'
WHUFC.com
Joe Cole is sure Saturday's defeat at Mainz will turn out to be a positive
experience for the Hammers
21.07.2013

Joe Cole believes West Ham United will emerge from Saturday's 4-1 loss to
FSV Mainz 05 as a stronger unit. The German side inflicted a first
pre-season defeat on the Hammers with two goals either side of half-time,
with the visitors unable to respond, apart from Cole's volleyed-strike just
after the interval.
Cole was glad for the step up in the test received and insists they will
continue to improve by the time Tuesday's match with Hamburger SV comes
around.
"It's a little wake-up call," he told West Ham TV. "We had played four good
games beforehand, but this was a real test against a good Bundesliga side
and we came up short. "The result is not too important, but we're obviously
disappointed because you play to win. It's a wake-up call and I expect us to
be stronger when we play Hamburg on Tuesday. "These are the games you need,
and they are a bit ahead of us fitness-wise. It's another big test on
Tuesday and then of course we have another [in Braunschweig] on Saturday.
"You build up gradually and we won't panic [because of this result]. The
main thing is that we all came through unscathed, we got more minutes under
our belts and now we move on."

Cole was pleased to get on the scoresheet from a personal point of view, and
even happier to get more match minutes under his belt. He continued: "It's
always nice to score a goal and I was glad to get through the 65 minutes. I
was feeling a little tight in the thigh the last few days, so I was happy to
get through. "Maybe I won't play as much on Tuesday now, as the other lads
will play, but I'll look forward to the third game and this is what it's
about. "We're on tour, we're getting fit, we're training hard. It's not
normal preparation - you're overloading before games, and it's just about
getting through pre-season.
"We'll look to get stronger as the week goes on and get good results against
Hamburg and Braunschweig."

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West Ham: David Sullivan prioritises signing another striker
BBC.co.uk

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan says signing another striker is his top
transfer priority this summer. The Hammers spent a club record £15m on Andy
Carroll last month but still want to boost their attacking options. Carlton
Cole was released at the end of last season, while loanees Marouane Chamakh
and Wellington Paulista returned to their parent clubs. Sullivan said on
Twitter: "We are happy with the rest of the team - all we need now is pace
and goals."

West Ham goalscorers 2012-13
Kevin Nolan - 10 in 38 games
Andy Carroll - 7 in 24
Modibo Maiga - 4 in 23
Mark Noble - 4 in 30
Ricardo Vaz Te - 3 in 28
Mohamed Diame - 3 in 34
Carlton Cole - 2 in 29
Marouane Chamakh - 0 in 3

Carroll, 24, completed a permanent move to Upton Park after spending last
season on loan from Liverpool, but is recovering from a foot injury and
could miss the start of the campaign. Mali international Modibo Maiga, who
has scored four goals in 23 appearances for the club, is the Hammers' only
other recognised senior forward. Sullivan recognises that further attacking
resources are required if manager Sam Allardyce's squad are to improve on
last season's 10th-place Premier League finish. A move for Duvan Zapata from
Argentine club Estudiantes failed due to work permit issues. In a Q&A
session organised through his teenage son Jack's Twitter account, Sullivan
was asked whether Allardyce was looking to sign a new full-back "We need
goalscorers not defenders," the 64-year-old said, before responding to the
possibility of midfielder Scott Parker making a return to Upton Park on loan
from Tottenham by saying: "We have to focus wages on strikers due to [a]
wage cap but would love Scott back if there was room."
Sullivan also said loan moves for Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku and Raheem
Sterling of Liverpool were unlikely. Jack Sullivan's Twitter account has
become a key source of information about the Hammers of late, with the
13-year-old also exclusively revealing the signing of Carroll on a six-year
deal.

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Ask David Sullivan
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 21st July 2013
By: Staff Writer

This afternoon, West Ham United's co-owner David Sullivan dropped in on
Twitter to answer questions put to him by supporters.

Sullivan, posting via his son Jack's account, spent more than an hour
talking to the fans in his first ever social media-based Q&A session. You
may read all the questions and answers via Jack Sullivan's Twitter feed, or
read on below in order to save you having to constantly scroll...


@HammerRaven: Do you think we need more pace? Moses or Sinclair on loan
would be perfect. Tom Ince ideal, but obviously pricey...

DS: We need more pace with one or two extra players.

@jordanwray16: How much money is left to spend?

DS: The problem is the wages, not the money. Under PPL we are capped.

@ahmet_tempz: David do you think the atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium will
be the same as Upton Park? And are we close to any signings ?

DS: Yes. It will be different but just as good.

@HammerRaven: What do you think of our style of play? Admittedly we no
Swansea but it's pragmatic, gets results. Are you happy with it?

DS: I thought in some games we played some good and exciting football. We
don't play like Wigan - but they got relegated.

@EllisWarrenUK: Where do you expect us to finish next season?

DS: Higher than last season with a Cup run.

@TaylorWild12: Why didn't we sign Wilfried Bony?

DS: Bony wouldn't have come as backup to Andy Carroll.

@30SECONDSTOGLEN: Would Loic Remy be an option? Very good forward with pace.

DS: He is facing a serious criminal charge and therefore is a high risk
signing.

@bbyrne7: Why go for Zapata (unproven)? Demba Ba and Darren Bent are both
available...

DS: We look to sign a younger player who could be a superstar.

@H18Dalton: If money were no object, which Premier League player would you
most like to sign?

DS: Robin Van Persie from the Premier League but I would also sign Ronaldo
from Spain. Pace, what we need!

@JohnBundock: Who is our most exciting young player and will youth get a
chance still?

DS: Elliot Lee or Ravel Morrison in my opinion, but others may disagree.

@Jamie_Seagrave: Why did you buy more shares?

DS: Because I wanted to get rid of the bank and show my commitment to the
club.

@RichMaher93: Have there been any further investigation into the Savio
signing?

DS: There is no hard evidence at this time.

@themooks: Have you made a decision not to bid on Birmingham's young players
and exploit their demise?

DS: We only bid on players Sam Allardyce asks us to bid on.

@MarcOfAsgard: Are we going to eye up any full backs during this transfer
window? Demel is past his prime.

DS: We need goalscorers, not defenders.

@RichMaher9: Any chance of a Scott Parker loan return?

DS: We have to focus wages on strikers due to the wage cap, but would love
Scott back if there was room.

@TheRobTaylor: You've done a great job with David Gold and Karren Brady with
the club, are we ready to win a Cup?

DS: Hopefully, but you need a lot of luck with the draw. But the League
comes first!

@ConnorwilsonLFC: What's your favourite away stadium?

DS: Cardiff, because that is where I am from originally.

@Vansbm: By upping your stake in the club do you believe we can clear the
debt ahead of schedule?

DS: I hope we are debt free by the time we go in to the Olympic Stadium.

@SeanioF87: Have you enquired about Lukaku?

DS: We would love him but I don't think Chelsea would loan or sell him.

@Sponge_lloyd: You referred to the wage cap. Man City must have an enormous
wage bill, surely there's no point to the FFP rules?

DS: Even they can't go up by £4million next season unless they generate
extra non-TV income.

@MattPois: What strikers are we looking at? And can you stop wearing that
ridiculous Russian hat and coat next season?

DS: It's a lucky hat and coat, very warm!

@Bishy613: How pleased are you with the new Adidas kits? I think they look
fantastic.

DS: Fantastic. I particularly like the away and training kit.

@dannnnt: I played at Upton Park in a tournament this year, will I be able
to do the same when we get the Olympic Stadium?

DS: We are only tenants so I don't think so, but I am sure there will be a
deal to strike.

@LewD7: Was there anyone big you tried and failed to sign?

DS: Neymar and Lukaku three years ago, at the same time.

@WHUFCGeezer: What's been your favourite on-pitch moment since taking over
at West Ham?

DS: Beating Manchester United 4-0 in the Carling Cup and Chelsea in the
league.

@whusmudge: Do you think we are running out of time to conduct our transfer
business? We can't afford to start slowly in the Premier League.

First published on www.KUMB.com.

DS: No. We still have four weeks until the start of season and hope to sign
a striker within 10 days.

@JoshTucker__: Is there still any chance of Zapata becoming a West Ham
player?

DS: No; unfortunately he cannot get a work permit.

@harris_whu: Adrian or Jussi Jaaskelainen as first choice goalkeeper?

DS: They're both very good 'keepers but I don't pick the team.

@CameronBroome97: How long until West Ham get European football?

DS: I would love to be in Europe this time next year!

@Johnsie31: Do we still owe Sheffield Utd any money for the Carlos Tevez
saga?

DS: Yes; the last payment is next month.

@Teguhrama: Would West Ham United tour to an Asian country?

DS: If we got the right offer, of course.

@KillianYnw: Are you interested in getting Sterling on loan?

DS: We don't think he is available but I like him. Very tricky and fast!

@SanderNyland: Will there be an athletics running track around the Olympic
Stadium?

DS: No; it will be covered with seats.

@liambarwick27: What's the best goal you've seen whilst being part of West
Ham?

DS: Every goal we score is a good one for me!

@ludowhufc: Would you consider Kenwyne Jones as our number two striker, or
are we aiming higher?

DS: He doesn't score enough for me, therefore we are aiming higher.

@Hammer_Balkan: Is Tomkins going to be first choice instead of Ginge?

DS: Ask Sam, not me. I rate them both highly.

@Jamie_Seagrave: How can you call £77 affordable football ?

DS: We have many kids for a quid games and half price games, such as Cardiff
and Stoke.

@Jamie_Seagrave: Why are we playing a crap, boring team for our home
pre-season fixture?

DS: pre-season is about getting players fit, results are irrelevant.

@af_ben: Will the club name the Olympic Stadium after one of the club's
great players, ie Bobby Moore or Sir Geoff Hurst? Or Paul Ince, maybe!?

DS: Yes we are!

@nickcollier1: Do you think West Ham can achieve a top 10 finish again this
year?

DS: Yes; hopefully higher.

@johnnyfkay: Can we copy Stoke and offer free travel to away games? We have
five games in London so it wouldn't be as expensive.

DS: We are £70million in debt, maybe in the future.

@desouza1994: Would you consider signing players from the Turkish football
league? I think there is a lot of hidden talent there.

DS: Most of them cannot get work permits.

@desouza1994: How about Yilmaz?

DS: We tried to get him this time last year but he wanted to stay in Turkey.

@iGeekApple: Do you think we need some younger players in the team?

DS: Yes and no. I love experience as do I love young talent.

@MattWebby4: Did anyone activate Mo Diame's release clause last summer?

DS: No.

@Brownpants99: Why don't you get a Twitter account, then you can stop all
the stupid rumours?

DS: I would say things I should not! Also I think Jack does a good job.

@gower82: How come the smallest kit you can buy is aged two years? What
about baby Hammers?

DS: We do have lots of outfits for babies. Have a look in the West Ham
store.

@SanderNyland22: Why is it so hard to get work permits for Zapata or Turkish
players?

DS: There are strict rules for non-EU players and they have to play 75 per
cent of internationals in the last two years to qualify.

@thegibbins: Can we please give Carlton Cole some form of a role at West
Ham? Lifetme President? We miss him.

DS: Carlton is a lovely man, we offered him a fantastic long-term deal this
time last year and he turned it down. I miss him too.

@themooks: Is there any chance of getting the live updates on the official
site improved, especially for mobiles?

DS: There are updates on Twitter.

@PambouE: Have you considered Samaras as back up to Andy Carroll? Celtic
captain and can play on the wing?

DS: It is a big jump from Scotland to the EPL. Many have failed, eg Boyd.

@MitchellClark__: Don't you think Darren Bent would be a good signing?

DS: He's very injury prone, but a good player on his day.

@JayJWillo: Except for strikers, who else are we looking to buy?

DS: We are happy with the rest of the team. All we need now is pace and
goals.

@ZachRV: Can we get some sleeveless training tops so I can look buff when I
train?

DS: The training gear is fantastic. Get some scissors and a needle and
thread!

@pepeDaina: Why have we heard no news about new investors, is the £70m debt
putting them off?

DS: Probably. It would have put me and DG off if we weren't local and didn't
love the club.

@jack_fleming8: Is there any chance you can make West Ham TV free?

DS: We will look into it. The problem is we have a deal with the people who
run the website.

@RossH1983: What do you want to be when you grow up?

DS: I want to be taller, but I am 64 so I doubt that is going to happen!

@ConnorG23: I have watched many games of Norwegian football and it should
really be looked into!

DS: Not many players have come from Norway, it is a big jump.

@WHUFCTALK1: Can we improve our scouting like Porto? They bring in the best
talent in the world.

DS: They don't need work permits in Portugal for players from South America
so it is so much easier for them.

@Ben_WHU: Any chance of getting West Ham TV on Sky and showing pre-season
games, like Liverpool TV?

DS: It's not viable at the moment but is in the pipeline.

@krisbell77: Is there going to be just the one more new signing or are we
strengthening throughout the squad?

DS: Maybe more.

@harrywhu: Do you ever see West Ham winning the Premier League?

DS: One day.

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David Sullivan: A new striker the priority for West Ham but we'd love Scott
Parker
Last Updated: July 21, 2013 5:43pm
SSN

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has revealed the Hammers are determined to
bring in another new striker before the transfer window closes.
Andy Carroll has arrived at Upton Park from Liverpool on a permanent deal
this summer for a club-record transfer fee, but boss Sam Allardyce remains
short of options up front. Carlton Cole, Marouane Chamakh and Wellington are
no longer at West Ham, while Carroll is nursing a foot injury that is likely
to see him miss the start of the season. Sullivan was asked by fans on
Twitter whether Allardyce was looking to sign a new full-back or attempt to
bring midfielder Scott Parker back to the club on loan from Tottenham.
However, the 64-year-old replied to both questions by stating that a new
forward was essential. "We need goal scorers not defenders," Sullivan said
when questioned about defensive targets, before responding to the
possibility of Parker making a return by saying: "We have to focus wages on
strikers due to wage cap but would love Scott back if there was room." When
asked if there were other targets, Sullivan reiterated his stance by
replying: "We are happy with the rest of the team. All we need now is pace
and goals." Sullivan also said loan moves for Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku and
Raheem Sterling of Liverpool were unlikely and revealed the former was a
target for West Ham some years ago.

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West Ham's priority is finding a goalscorer to partner Andy Carroll, admits
Sullivan
21 Jul 2013 17:25
The Mirror

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has admitted the club are targeting a
proven goalscorer in the remainder of the transfer window. The Hammers have
already broken their club transfer window this summer by completing the
permanent signing of England forward Andy Carroll. But with the former
Liverpool and Newcastle sidelines by a heel injury and only misfiring Malian
Modibo Maiga in reserve, the East Londoners look perilously light up top
heading into the new season. A move for Duvan Zapata failed due to work
permit issues but a report in the Sunday People suggested that a move for
former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou could be in the offing. Sullivan, who
was conducting a Q&A session through his son Jack's Twitter account, didn't
reveal who the Hammers were looking at, but did confirm a new goalscorer
remains the target ahead of the new season. He was asked by fans whether Sam
Allardyce was looking to sign a new full-back or attempt to bring Scott
Parker back to the club on loan, but the 64-year-old, who now owns over 55
per cent of West Ham, replied to both Tweets stating a frontman was
essential. "We need goal scorers not defenders," he said when questioned
about defensive targets, before responding to the possibility of Parker
making a return by saying: "We have to focus wages on strikers due to wage
cap but would love Scott back if there was room." When asked if there were
other targets, Sullivan reiterated his stance by replying: "We are happy
with the rest of the team all we need now is pace and goals."
When asked whether West Ham would consider turning to Kenwyne Jones to solve
their striker shortage, Sullivan replied: "[He] doesn't score enough for me,
therefore we are aiming higher."

Sullivan also said loan moves for Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku and Raheem
Sterling of Liverpool were unlikely and revealed the former was a target for
West Ham some years ago.

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